Study Finds California Road Conditions Deteriorating Faster Than Other States

Cars drive drive along U.S. 101 in San Francisco. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) – California’s roadways are going downhill, about as fast as any state in the union, according to a study released Thursday by the Reason Foundation.

For the past two decades, the group tracked spending per-mile on state-owned roads and analyzed road conditions, congestion and highway deaths. California was the only state that failed to improve in at least three of seven categories.

In 1989, only 4.1 percent of our urban interstates were deemed in poor condition, but by 2008, almost 25 percent were below standards.

“Unless the federal government is able to step in and work as a partner, I’m afraid that California is going to fall farther and farther behind,” said South Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell.

California did make strides in reducing fatal accidents and improving bridge conditions.